The 8 Best Beach Bags For Moms To Carry Sand Toys, Towels And More

Forbes

02-05-2025

Going to the beach with kids is a whole new experience, requiring more than just a small tote to carry the endless essentials—snacks, sun hats, sunscreen, diapers, wipes, towels and more—making a practical beach bag a must. The best beach bags for moms are versatile, roomy and easy to clean. As a Southern California local who goes to the beach and pool regularly with my three kids, I'm constantly testing out different bags to find ones that stand out from the crowd, and my best overall pick, the Bogg Bag Original, hits all the marks.
The best beach bags for moms easily house all the beach day essentials.
'Since going to the beach with littles in tow can be intense, I usually prioritize practicality,'says Shana Draugelis, founder and CEO of The Mom Edit and mom of two. Additionally, since there are dozens of beach bags to choose from, she says, 'It's got to be cute enough that I'm actually excited to carry it—even off the beach.' We've curated the best beach bags for moms to tow everything—and then some—this summer.
Amazon
Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 14 inches | Weight: 5 pounds
This Crocs-like bag that went a viral a few years ago is still just as easy-to-clean, durable and spacious as it was then, making it a functional and versatile pick to tote to the beach, pool or kid's sporting event. The carry straps are comfy to use even when filled to the brim. The treaded flat bottom means it'll stay upright even in sand, and the signature holes means you won't tote home cups of sand in the bottom of your bag. Cleaning it is as easy as hosing it down or wiping it clean. It's available in over 70 fun colors and patterns, and there are a ton of accessory options to make organizing it even easier from dividers to drink holders, insulated cooler bags and phone holders to protect your tech from the salt and sand, while the wide opening makes quickly finding things inside easier.
'This is a great option for the beach or pool, because you can easily hose off sand or sunscreen. It's incredibly roomy so you can fit lots of beach toys and extra towels, and it has a sturdy bottom,' says Forbes Vetted fashion and beauty writer and mom of two Molly Calhoun, who borrowed a friend's Bogg Original for a beach trip. She did note, however, that due to the durable EVA material it's made of, it's slightly heavier (5 pounds) than some other beach totes. Just beware, there are a ton of knock-offs out there. Parents who love customizing their bag can add on Bogg Bits (much like Jibbitz for Crocs), to add on to the exterior for extra flair.
STATE Bags
Dimensions: 12.2 x 22 (top); 16.5 x 8 inches (bottom) | Weight: 3.75 poundsYes, it's possible for a bag stuffed with pool and sand toys to still look gorgeous and adult. The minimalist State Wellington Cabana Tote comes in a variety of chic colors and patterns (including a fun, summery knit version) yet still has all the utilitarian elements parents need. Made of waterproof materials, the unique shape of the Wellington Cabana Tote (it's wider on top than the bottom) makes it easy to stuff in—and access—a ton of things. The generous size means you can easily toss in a towel or two, water toys, snacks, water bottles and then some. Most of the color options are also see-through, making it easy to see what's where when you need to grab that one diving stick or snack for your child.
While it doesn't have any zipper pockets inside, it does come with a detachable pouch to zip your valuables into. The thick handles are padded nicely on top so you can comfortably carry the bag on your shoulder or in your hand.
Amazon
Dimensions: 19 x 14.5 inches (not expanded); 19 x 17.5 (expanded)| Weight: Not listed
Whether you're flying or driving to a beach vacation, chances are your suitcases are already stuffed and trying to squeeze in a beach bag on top of everything can just be one thing too many. That's exactly why I love these ultra-light and easily packable Aloha bags. I take mine on every family trip we take. They fold up small enough to toss in my purse or backpack and hardly weigh anything.
A zippered top keeps things from falling out at the beach (and also expands the bag), and I've found the wide straps comfortable to carry on my shoulder. Two interior zippered pockets are ideal for stashing phones, hand sanitizer and anything else you want to protect from sand and water, while an exterior pocket provides additional storage for keys or a Kindle. The 'splash-proof' material of the bag means I don't worry about spills or water sloshing on it. Cleaning it is also a breeze—simply wipe it down with a baby wipe or damp cloth or toss it in the washing machine on the delicate cycle.
They come in a ton of fun colors and patterns, whether you want to go minimalist or vacay-ready with a lively tropical print. You could also use it as your carry-on bag so there's one less thing to pack.
Target
Dimensions: 16.6 x 23.6 x 9.1 inches | Weight: Not listed
When you just want an easy, lightweight and waterproof bag that you can toss everything into real quick, it's hard to beat the super affordable Shade & Shore Mesh Cargo Tote bag. I've owned this one for three years now, and it's accompanied me and my three kids on many trips to the pool and beach. Since it's mesh, I don't worry about leaving a stray wet towel in there, and the roomy exterior pockets are convenient for stashing sunscreen, water bottles or anything else I want to quickly access without having to dig through the bag. I've definitely gotten my $15 worth out of it.
'Mesh beach bags are so underrated—they look surprisingly fashionable, are lightweight, and useful,' says Draugelis who calls this Target tote 'ridiculously cute.' This one is also super roomy allowing me to squish in floaties, goggles, towels, extra clothes and then some. To clean it, you simply shake out the sand (or crumbs) and rinse it off.
Yeti
Dimensions: 18.1 x 9.8 x 15.2 inches| Weight: 3.1 pounds
The Yeti Camino 35 Carryall tote is a durable and waterproof bag that'll likely last you for years. Whether you're taking it to the beach, on a boat or a kids sporting event, you can rest assured knowing no liquids will seeping in from the bottom or sides.
A thick waterproof puncture-resistant shell and hefty rubber bottom makes it feel substantial, even though it only weighs a little over 3 pounds. It's so waterproof, the brand says you can even use it to carry water or use as a makeshift camp dishwashing vessel if you needed to. This is a super spacious structured bag—the kind where you know you could you toss in everything but the kitchen sink and it could still support it (it's been tested to carry up to 1,500 pounds, according to Yeti.) There are two fairly large zippered pockets inside and two dividers that pop out of each end to help organize all your gear. You can carry it multiple ways: with the handles on your shoulder or picking it up with the CrossBar handles.
Just note this isn't a cooler bag and doesn't have a zip top. It's available in 11 muted and vibrant colorways. The Camino 35 comes with a three-year warranty—and is on sale in select colors right now.
Amazon
Dimensions: 24 x 19 x 12 inches| Weight: 1.8 pounds
Easily the largest bag on our list, the Scout Zip-Top Original Tote is both incredibly spacious and extremely lightweight. After you've stuffed all your towels, toys, kickboards, books and then some in here, you can easily shut it using the u-shaped zip top, instead of feeling like you have to squeeze it together to get the zipper to catch all the way though. There's an interior zippered pocket for stashing your phone, keys and other must-haves you don't want to have to dig through for. The bag itself carries up to 75 pounds and has a burst-proof bottom.
'I dislike carrying too many bags on trips to the lake or beach,' says Margaret Badore, the Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear editor. 'This giant bag from Scout is ideal for avoiding that situation, and easily fit our infant life jacket, towels, snacks, clothes, sunscreen and more.'
It folds flat for convenient storage and can be easily hosed off and cleaned. Just note the dimensions, because it is rather large and may be cumbersome for more petite parents to carry. Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala uses the smaller but still quite large Scout Original Deano bag (19 x 15 x 10 inches) to take her three kids at the beach and at swim class. 'I love that the structured sides stay up, so I can always find what I need, and the open top makes it easier to pack, because I can always squeeze one more thing in. It's easy to wipe clean or shake the sand out of it, too,' she says. She does note that she wishes 'it had an additional internal pocket for stowing a few small things like swim goggles."
Nordstrom Rack
Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 8 inches | Weight: Not listed
The Business & Pleasure Cooler Tote Bag doubles as an insulated cooler to keep your drinks, milk or snacks cold while also being roomy enough to stash additional beach or pool gear. It's not as bulky as other insulated bags I've owned in the past and holds about 7 gallons. Pair it with their slim ice packs (or any ice pack you already own) to keep everything inside nice and cold for hours.
As an added bonus, it's a gorgeous bag with leather handles and a carry strap that comes in a range of retro-inspired colors and patterns. It's made of a thick vinyl-coated canvas, so you know it's durable. There are two exterior pockets, one zippered, to hold small essentials. Use it as a grocery bag to get even more use out of it.
Sidney Byron
Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 5 inches| Weight: Not listed
If you're in the market for a beach bag that makes you feel like you're strolling the South of France instead of constantly chasing kids to reapply sunscreen, this gorgeous (and eco-friendly) Sidney Byron jute and cotton tote is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional and brimming with high-quality details. I recently took it on a trip and loved the luggage sleeve that let me slip it over my suitcase handle. Stretchy exterior straps on the other side hold up to three straw hats (aka the hardest things to figure out how to pack.) The organic cotton interior is extremely roomy and easily fit everything for a day at the beach including swimsuits, snacks, cover-ups and more. And if your kids are like mine and always knocking things over, the zippered top ensures things stay inside.
Two interior pockets, along with another zippered compartment made it easy to organize small things I didn't want to have to dig around for, and the exterior pockets on the side were handy for water bottles. There's also a separate zippered pouch that can clip onto the inside of the bag or be used as a wristlet on its own. Environmentally-conscious parents should know this chic tote is both recyclable and biodegradable.
The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted is comprise of parents and journalists who have collectively tested hundreds of the best baby and kids gear for parents include a wide variety of beach-related gear from the best infant life jackets to the best sunscreen for babies and the best stroller wagons.
To find the best beach bags for moms, we researched dozens of products we saw other moms carrying or raving about online, along with thorough online research of some of the newest beach bags on the market.
With beach bags and pool totes, you'll want to make sure you have enough space for the amount of things you normally carry. That may vary for each family depending on how many kids you're packing for and how old the kids are. Families with toddlers and babies, for instance, will need more space for things like diapers and wipes, while families with older kids may be able to delegate a separate bag for bigger kids to carry their own things. Take note of bag dimensions and buying guides on the brand's website, which often will give real-life examples of how much fits in each particular bag.
A bag you'll regularly be toting to a sand or water-filled area is likely to get messy, so make sure it's not a huge pain to clean it, because let's face it, the chances of a busy parent hand-washing a beach bag seem unrealistic. Materials like mesh help any wet things drip out and prevent mold growth, while others like PVC or vinyl coating can easily be wiped clean. Many beach bags on our list can even be hosed down in the backyard.
Sometimes nothing feels worse than digging endlessly through a bottomless bag for that one special pacifier or your car keys. Keep an eye out for organization compartments and zippered pockets that'll give you multiple options to keep things separated and easy to find. Many beach bags for moms have interior pockets, exterior pockets or detachable pouches. Some, like the Yeti Camino 35 Carryall Tote Bag, have deployable dividers you can pop out to use when needed then pop back to practically disappear into the bag itself, while others like the Bogg Bag have add-on accessories designed specifically to help with organizing.
Pick a bag that works for your body to make sure it's something you'll actually want to use day after day. If you're a petite parent, something that's on the bulkier side and extra-large may feel cumbersome to tote to the beach. Conversely, someone on the taller side may want to make sure the straps are long enough to comfortably carry, or that there are additional handle options when towing a particularly heavy load. 'And don't forget about the straps,' says Draugelis. 'I'm always looking for beach totes with straps that are thick enough to not dig in, and made from a comfortable material so they don't irritate my skin.'
Bags made of synthetic or durable materials like mesh, polyester and coated canvas are usually a good choice for the beach as they'll be easy to clean and are generally considered lightweight.
The Bogg Bag was designed by a mom who wanted a better bag for family adventures and instantly went viral on social media. Moms rave about how lightweight, durable and roomy it is. It was designed to stand on its own without tipping over and the signature holes and EVA material makes cleaning it super easy.
No, the Bogg Bag is not made by the same company as Crocs. Although they may bear a similarity in look, style and accessories, they are completely different companies.